Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care · Vol. 9, No. 1 · 2023 · pp. 9–13 · e-ISSN 2377-8393

Cultural Comparisons of Aging Policies and Care for Older Adults in Japan and the United States: A Review

Hiroshi Nakajima, James S. Powers

Tokyo Medical Dental University,Tokyo JapanJapan
Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC),TN 37212, USA; Division of Geriatrics,Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville,TN 37232, USAUnited States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17140/pmhcoj-9-153 · Published 2023-08-09 · Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 · © 2023 The Author(s)

Also available as PDF (figures and tables appear in the PDF).

Abstract

This review article critically examines the health status, healthcare policies, and specialized medical care for older adults in Japan and the United States, with a focus on the cultural underpinnings that shape these differences. The article synthesizes existing literature to provide insights into the challenges and potential solutions for providing care to aging populations in both coun-tries.

Keywords: Aging policies; Care for older adults; Cultural comparisons; United States; Healthcare systems; Social support; Long-term care; Japan

Conclusion

The care of increasingly aged populations in both Japan and the US presents unique challenges for each country. Older adults in Japan can expect to live 10 to 20-years longer, and they enjoy enhanced long-term care benefits compared to their US counterparts. Older Americans have access to acute care, but the families of those with chronic illnesses suffer tremendous caregiving burdens. Both countries are experiencing economic instability in providing healthcare to older adults, with similar workforce development challenges. As the most super-aged societies and the countries with the highest healthcare expenditures in the world, Japan and the US, respectively, have the potential to demonstrate sustainable models of care to benefit all older adults and their caregivers. Creative solutions are needed and likely involve policy initiatives to stabilize the cost of care for an increasingly older population, pro-

vider education, and financial incentives to provide geriatric care, as well as social and cultural attitude changes with intergenerational cooperation and understanding regarding the care and value of older adults in society.

Conflicts Of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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